Another week has gone by and it's time to sit down with a brew and have a natter and a catch up!
Is your running care free? Are you having fun?
I'm tentatively, and slowly, making my way through the NRC HM plan; spacing runs out to try to avoid injury. I'm just loving being out there running pain free again. I can't say it's totally care free - the fear of injury hasn't quite disappeared - but I'm definitely having a great deal of fun!
But while I'm busy exercising great caution, my elder son is doing a 'Random Run Month' challenge. It involves running every day for 31 days; each day he lets the computer select a new distance between 1 and 26km ... and then that's what he runs that day!!! To set it in better context, let me also tell you that I don't think he has run longer than 10km all year, and no more than 10k in any one week! So how? How is it possible for him to do this challenge without getting injured?
At the same time, my younger son is aiming for his first half marathon in October. He's being marginally more sensible, but has already run 15k (pretty much out of the blue) at a pace that should see his first half come in sub-2 hours.
Where do my boys get their running genes from? Age apparently has an awful lot to answer for. I'll be sticking to my slow and gradual training and having fun doing so, after all I'll never be this young again 😍
I can't help being full of envy for the vitality, fun and carefree joy of youth though!!!
What've you been up to this past week? What's on the cards for you this coming week? Do tell us all about it - the good, the bad and the ugly, we love to hear it all.
Whatever your week has in store for you, have a good one - at least there seems to be the vague possibility of some brighter, warmer weather ahead here in the UK 😎
Your team, Irishprincess , Beachcomber66 and me xxx
Good morning Linda. They were the days; I could just get up, grab breakfast, walk three miles to school and then wish the time away until lunch time when I could run up and down the pitch at a very respectable speed, playing football. I do remember feeling out of breath once, on the day we returned from summer holidays; it surprised me! My fitness soon returned though. Fast forward to the only sporty one amongst my kids.He thought that he could bring the same approach to running in his thirties; big mistake for which he paid in terms of physio fees. I told him but …. 🙄
Long run day today; maybe 10k, then I will have to think about packing! Not raining now, but it clearly has overnight. 🤷🏻♂️ we just get on with it! Catch you later 🙂
That sounds like an idyllic life BC. Hope the long run was lots of fun now you're free and off-plan. Just remember to pack your sunglasses, running kit and running shoes; that'll probably fill the case and the job will be a good 'un! I hope you have a wonderful holiday 😎⛱️👟
Minimalist running; one pair of running shoes, 3 pairs of shorts, 3 pairs of socks, 3 shirts one light waterproof top and a couple of peaked hats. Job done!
Morning Linda! Oh to be young. I am so envious of your sons. They sound like they’re doing really well-good luck to them!
I’m in the same position as you…gradually building, enjoying running pain free and a more than a. bit nervous about getting injured again. That’s why I haven’t popped in here sooner. Am illogical fear that when I say “I am at the start of a marathon training programme” my knees will immediately explode and I won’t be able to run for months. Stupid, hey? The mental impact of injuries is so much worse than physically recovering! But I think today is the day to be brave…
It’s actually going really well so far. I’m aiming for an October 20th race which is 17 weeks away and I feel like I’m on track I’ve been really consistent at getting out three or four times a week and the distance has been creeping up happily, That feels great.
I’ve got a training plan (well-three!). Hal Higdon Novice 1 is what I’ll mainly be following with a bit of input from NRC. I’ve already been following the Nike Plan for a few weeks and I’m back over 7 miles for my long run. I did that on Saturday running to the chip shop in the next village! So this week the plan is to keep following the plan and try and switch my brain off. Have a great week all!
Things sound to be going really well MissU! I think that my biggest risk on the comeback trail is failing to do post run stretches. I have being trying extra hard to fit them in recently, and it seems to be paying off ( which is the equivalent of an actor saying “Macbeth”!!) 🤞🤞🤞🤞. You have left yourself lots of room for manoeuvre should you hit a snag; brilliant work.
Thank you for the encouragement! For me I know the wheels come off if I drop the weights… I guess the useful thing about injuries I they do give us some handy information for next time round!!! I don’t know why it’s so hard to actually do the stuff we know works but it often is! Let’s we both stay off the couch…
Thank you! It was three miles in the sunshine earlier on and it felt harder than the seven I did on the weekend!! Totally underestimated the heat. I gave myself an extra big tick for that one and have resolved to be more organised next time!
Really appreciate the good wishes! Sending them right back at you and Tasha! ❤️
The heat caught me out too.I really should have gotten out much earlier!!! Somuch faffing, topped off by discovering my watch was virtually flat by the tie I finished warming up!!!
Thank you MissUnderstanding it is a challenge training for an autumn marathon as lots of build up runs are in the summer and you're running when it's hotter. Keep taking it steady 😊
Oh how exciting MissU. Which race are you aiming for? It really is great to see the mileage building up, but I know exactly what you mean about fear of injury and not speaking up. You've made a great start and, as you say, you know your history and you know what you need to do. Wishing you all the very, very best. We'll be cheering you on.
I was hoping to try for a May marathon this year but got to 21k and the wheels totally fell off (shortly after I owned up to my plan on here!). Hey ho. I'm now aiming for a half again this autumn, and then maybe we'll see about next autumn for a marathon; I'm not giving up yet - where's the fun in that? - although by then I'll be more than a year older so I don't imagine it will be any easier 🤷♀️😍
Sorry to hear that! I’m mentally prepared for the same thing to happen…we’ll see! I’d have loved to do the New Forest marathon but the date doesn’t work this year. This is what I’m targeting instead…
It’s probably a more sensible choice with it being local and tarmac all the way round. I can also train on bits of it in advance, The deciding factor was having my support crew (MrU!!) available!
Don’t give up on the marathon dream. Maybe the timescale to get there might change but you’ll be on that start line one day 🤞
Ohh, that looks lovely. I'll look forward to hearing all about that one. Interesting that they do a 25km option as well. Relish events seem to be well regarded over all 😊
Oh wow Linda! I’m stressing out at that random computer distance pick. Imagine getting 26k, or worse still, getting it twice or more - and maybe in one week! 😱 But youngsters don’t care do they?
Nor should they! It’s incredible that your sons are such avid runners. 🩵 My younger daughter runs - but not for the moment because her baby was due 2 days ago! My older daughter is going to start C25K this summer and my son is an excellent runner (with zero training), but always has something else to do!
I’m so happy you’re back running happily again. The main thing is you’re injury free. Long may that continue 🥰 I’m merrily trotting my way through the NRC HM Plan, and had a very pleasant 15k yesterday. No stress, just got the job done. Coach B abandoned me at 1k though - a bit like Beachcomber66 on his HM last week. What’s up Coach? What have we done to upset you?! All good though, as I had tunes. 🎶
I had a failed guided run last week, and today I couldn't save my run (I had to force stop the app because it wouldn't stop my run - just an ever spinning circle to look at). I have that problem often - so frustrating!
The HM plan played nothing today! I set it up for a 10k, but no commentary. So, as this was supposed to be a slow recovery run, I downloaded a 1 hour run instead and it worked perfectly. I won’t be turning to NRC for two weeks now; holiday. I will run, but just by feel. 8.55 miles in an hour was just what my legs needed👍.
When I had an issue last week, it was with a run on the plan that I had previously downloaded. I eventually selected it from the list of runs, downloaded it again, and all was well. But that shouldn't have been necessary.
I know! So much stress! The first week he got lots of long runs. The thing is, neither of them are avid runners - they rarely run at all - which makes it all the more crazy!
I bet those have been two long days Cheeky. I do hope you see some action very soon and wish her all the very best.
What is it with the NRC app? So,so glitchy. My guided run played just fine today, butwhen it came to saving the run it let me down - the dreaded spinning circle when I paused and stopped the run, that I can't seem to find any way round, other than force stopping the app and losing the run data. Grrr. Thank goodness I waited to charge my watch rather than relying on NRC 😠
This is his strava activity chart for the last twelve months. As you can see June is not representative (the other peak of activity was a week skiing). The 22km was today's run, day 16 of his challenge!!!
Strava activities chart for the last twelve months
I’m so happy that you’re running pain free again linda9389 😍
It’s taper time for me which is hard when you know your training block has not been ideal & you couldn’t do your last long run. The mental side of long distance running is not to be underestimated. I did some reading when I couldn’t run during Covid. Here’s an excerpt for those hard moments from Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance" by Alex Hutchinson.
RW, you have done everything possible to be ready for the big day. Not your fault that Covid 19 hit you at just the wrong time. I have no idea, but I imagine that any lingering effects may impact on pace, but shouldn’t stop you completing. That is what happened to me in last year’s HU HM….. but that was only half the distance of course. Whatever happens you will emerge from this even stronger than you were pre Marathon. If I were a betting man I would definitely risk a whole tenner on you completing 🙂
You're so right RunWillie Marathon training is such a mental thing too. So much depends on the day itself and how things feel. All you can do is what you have, and on the day, you WILL be strong enough to go out there and give it your all ⭐
Thanks RW. And I'm happy that you made it almost the entire way through your plan, without injury and here you are virtually on the line. Now focus on what you have achieved, how much stronger you are than when you started - just look at today's run - both physically and mentally. You are ready, and we'll all be with you cheering you on.
Hello linda9389, tomorrow 18th June is my 6th anniversary since I graduated from C25K in 2018, so this morning I walked with a little running part of the course I ran 6 years ago, unlike last year when I repeated that run at the same place which was the promenade at Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland, by the way I still haven't received any medal for the HU Spring 10K, I do have the order number so if I don't get the medal by the end of this week I'll get in touch with Sprinters sportswear.
Hi Al; Happy Sixth Runniversary for tomorrow. My sixth is on18 August. I had an argument with my left calf mid week 6 which slowed down my graduation; I won in the end, with help from my physio!
I have said before that I tend to celebrate the start date rather than the completion; for me that was the biggest achievement….just putting on T Shirt, shorts and clapped out old trainers and getting out there for the first time! But hey; let’s celebrate both dates 🏁🥇🏆👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
My first run was 18th April, graduating two months later on June 18th, before my walk/run this morning I went into a O2 shop inquiring on getting a new Smartphone, I have had my present phone for nearly 6 years, so perhaps soon I will buy a new Smartphone, I now now where to buy one.
Happy 6th anniversary Al, that's a great achievement. Always interesting to re-run C25K routes and reflect on just how much C25K has changed us and just how much we have changed since C25K! Sounds like a good plan re. the missing medal; I do hope it turns up because you definitely earned it!
Thank you very much GTFC, it's been a wonderful six years, 114 parkruns, 182 (not) parkruns, 50/10Ks, 7/ten miles and one half marathon as well as countless 3K what I call maintenance runs. 🏃🏾✅
Friday update regarding the HU 10K medal, it hasn't gone missing in the post, I looked at my bank account, no payment has been paid despite Sprinterssportswear saying it was being processed, my order number for Sprinters is 13612
Hello Linda and running VRB's, Linda you are amazing and your sons have obviously been inspired by you, there's no better gift to give yourself or others, the joy and happiness that running brings is immense 😁.I've made my final move, which I won't go on about because it's getting a bit boring, but has been a major upheaval, and I've started tentatively running again, it's so good to be able to, so that's me....
Haha, I can't see my boys agreeing that i'm an inspiration to them, but I think they are quietly just a little bit impressed that I've stuck to my running. Oh, I bet your glad the move is finally done - it's been pretty energy sapping for you hasn't it, not a quick or easy change. But now you have a whole new map of running routes to explore, tentative or not! Time to have some care free fun, enjoy 🥰
I'll be honest, that is never far from my mind Dexy 🤣, but I know my youngest is going to blow that out of the water! And that's OK. I'll just be very proud of him instead 🥰
Hi linda9389 and all VRBs ! Care free running would be lovely ! Wow your elder sons challenge is very brave! I can think of a few running friends that would relish that kind of challenge, hope it goes well!!! 🤞💪🏃♂️
Should be a quiet week for me, got Tuesday club which is a slow run and catch up chat, then Thurs eve too for a trail run🤞nothing too manic!
Well done on your training and here's to many more injuries free miles xxx
Well, brave is one word for it! There are a few folk who crave challenges like that aren't there - I am not one of them 😍After yesterday's 22km, I see he generated 16km for today 🫨 .... I also see he is doing it in two parts (probably to work this morning, then back again tonight).
That doesn't sound like such a quiet week for you Ali, not after a racing weekend anyway! Enjoy 😊
good to hear the running is going so well, long may it be so
re children and running talent: I look back to when I could do three miles in 20 mins and marvel at how I let it fade away - very much a case of "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" (I know Joni Mitchell was singing about something else but it feels that it applies🤣)
I hope yours and everyone's HM plans and so on go well. It's so impressive to see how people are getting on.👏👏👏
For me I finally made my New Year resolution ! Something achievable I hope: do 10 events where distance is 10k or more and get at least one result that is faster than last year's best time. Next up is the Leeds 10k (next Sunday). Concentrating on just getting round to begin with
Having never run until my late fifties, for me running is a case of 'I didn't know what I was missing til I found it' - not sure who sung that one 🤔
Loving the New Year resolution! Are you giving yourself 12 months or just the remainder of 2024?
I'll add you to the events list for Leeds 10k; Fiadh79 is also doing it. She was asking about the logistics of the event in a post over on Bridge. Have you run it before?
Hi Fiadh. Sorry not to have seen this comment earlier - I would have liked to have said "hi" at the event - never mind. Maybe next year? Or if you are close to Leeds and looking for other events then both the Abbey Dash and the Dewsbury 10k are worth considering (and whilst not flat, flat they have no horrible hills!)
Thanks Linda (sorry for later reply) ... the resolution is a bit of a cheat as the Leeds 10k was actually not the first one this year. So trying to get 10x10k by the end of the year which'll be fine (I like resolutions not to be too challenging).
It's brilliant that you found running in the end ... really pleased for you
Having a great deal of fun sounds wonderful. Long may it continue. I so know about the appreciation of pain free running after injury or while managing injuries. How many days of no running do you leave between your running days? My injured knee seems happy, but my other knee is giving me concern. I wore a knee support on both knees today. I ought to try and find knee supports that are cooler, these basically elasticated tubular thingies which are so warm. Also black and ugly!
'Random Run Month' !!!! Not for me! The mind boggles.
Basically I am running three times a week leading to the local annual running event that is due on Monday. I'm looking forward to it although they have changed the route which has been the same for perhaps 30 years or more. They have actually removed my favourite bit. When I am out for my runs on my own, that's exactly what I enjoy - being on my own enjoying the scenery, having my own thoughts, listening to podcasts and I confess not having others around spoiling my view. But during the Duffield 5 running downhill on the pavement/road of the Hazelwood Road with supporters cheering and lads squirting us with super soakers was so much fun. There will now be very minimal easy running, more paths and trails, not with easy running surfaces. How the speedy ones manage not to be injured on all the uneven surfaces I can't imagine.
Happy pain free and injury free running to you 😊🏃🏻♀️
So glad to hear the bad knee is behaving for you, that's such good news after running your Half so recently. I had a velcro knee support that I used to use - just ordered it from amazon. I'm not sure any of them look cool ... and they're all going to berather hot.
I suspect there are many people who wouldn't fancy 'random run month', me included!
I agree with you about running alone and having the scenery and the quiet all to yourself, but equally I do find races have a magic of their own which I thoroughly enjoy on an occasional basis. Having said that, I can rarely remember much about the route by the time the race is over, especially city races! This weekend you may be glad of the super soakers (not that I could have imagined saying that this time last week!). Good luck and enjoy 😊
The Duffield 5, the on my doorstep event, is due to take place on Monday at 7pm. I see that the current forecast is 23℃ feels like 23℃. Just the same as the recent times I entered and yes super soakers would be lovely, but the route no longer goes past the front gardens where the super soaker lads lived. I am not even sure if supporters will know about the significant route change. It will be interesting to see what happens. I have entered this run three times, once with our then primary school aged children, just on the basis of my netball fitness and twice more recently. I can't really remember the early one, but oh! I have so enjoyed the recent two. So many folk that I know running and supporting; it such a community event; such a buzz. The supporting only really around the roads and there will be much less road route this year. All, except the school field around which we run at the start and finish, part of my usual running routes. It would be interesting to know how many of the runners live locally and how many travel in. There is no entry list published with clubs to give you an idea. I certainly don't know the 5000 folk who live here. Yes I am looking forward to it. I shall teach a year 10 lad first and then meet him again at the start as he plans to enter again this year.
Sorry I am chatting on. Do you leave perhaps 2 days non running between your running days? Or vary it?
Oh I forgot to answer that, sorry! Normally I leave two rest days between every run. At the moment I am running every other day and loving how many running days there are. That happened because I was only running short distances, but I may have to revert to the two day breaks soon, (esp after long runs).What a shame the super soakers are no longer en route, as you say it's likely to be a warm one. On the flip side, maybe it will be more scenic 😊
A lovely post... and with many thoughts that I can totally identify with...out there and enjoying it... for you, pain free,,, wonderful.... for me... just running free.
The joyful exuberance of youth/ Ah yes ! But.. the joy of allowing ourselves to move at our body and our mind ( in my case), tells us too... that comes , maybe with a few more, Ks under our belt and of course a few more aches and pains
The HU10 was sheer delight and I ran Chase the Rainbow, through May for Charity, with Virtual Runner and was rewarded with a super medal which small person loves!
So, although I am moving, very much at my own pace, I am feeling now, the faint stirrings , that the time is coming to enjoy some longer, relaxed runs again.
Ahh, thanks OF. Running free is such a wonderful gift - not always available to us, but to be fully appreciated and enjoyed when it is. When the time is right, the distances may lengthen, or they may not, but if the enjoyment is there then you are winning in spades 🥰
Morning Linda and VRBs 👋 Just catching up with the replies.
My mum is staying with us so we’re busy socially. Honestly, we’re always busy when she’s here, far more so than when we are on our own 🤣 She’s also done something to her knee and I ended up sitting in with her for a physio appointment so that was interesting to see it from the “other side.”
From old age to youth then and your sons! Good luck to both of them. There is that fearlessness to youth and the feeling that you can do anything and survive intact. I bet they're not even thinking about getting injured!
I do remember, as a young teen, along with a friend, on a whim we just decided to walk to a certain town. It was about 25 miles away, we didn’t wear any special shoes or clothes and we had to stop along the way for coke (not water!) and a Mars bar and that was it. We did it and survived but I can just imagine the logistics and faffage if I was walking that today!
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to my race tonight. The hip/back niggle is better but I can still feel it, but I want this bling so I’m doing it.
Your running is coming along nicely so that’s great news. Happy running to you and everyone x
Oh no IP, I missed this, sorry. How was it? Did your back behave? Did that bling look really good around your neck?😍I love your early nutritious fuelling strategy 😂, those were the days eh?
I’m late again, and it’s midnight so I will catch you all next week. In the mean time I’m having a gentle taper week. But with social events, it’s not entirely good prep for my race on Sunday. Have a great week all.
It's amazing how the week slips by isn't it? Social events sound fun, and the perfect reason to put no pressure on yourself on Sunday - just aim for a care free run 🥰
I haven’t posted much for a long while now but I’m still dipping in when I can.
It’s great to see you back out there and running well (and sensibly 😅). Good luck to your son too.
Life is very busy for me right now mainly with family and it’s really hard to put the training first. I’ve no training next week as I’m helping my sister move from south wales and the schedule is really tight. I did look at Swansea bay sports centre and if I possibly can I’ll try and squeeze a session in there. It looks amazing!! Indoor and outdoor track facilities.
I have another injection in my ankle tomorrow which will need a day or so rest anyway. It’s still not quite right and with the UK and Worlds coming up in July and August I don’t want it holding me back, especially now in the run up.
Racing wise I’m doing ok. About 2/10s down from where I want to be in the 100 at this stage but hopefully the injection will help me find that. I have another race in London on the 2nd July and then that’s it till the UK champs end of July.
Good to hear from you! A very busy time for you by the sound of it. I didntrealise you were still bothered by the ankle injury - you seem to be doing amazingly well despite it, but here's hoping the injection enables you to keep ahead.Good luck with the move and squeezing in some training too 🥰
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Weekly chat June 22-28